Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-01-20

Il IS in ere,tug 10 note thr urogreSs O, the m
roads ia ths etaEr OF ~ ScOuSn Al the CloSs Il
the year 1880, there were ten miles OF completed
roai from Milwaukee to Elm Grove NJ the
close Of the year 1850 there were but SIS miles OF
railroad within our limits, During the time OF the
war of the rebellion, and the business depression
Immediately following there was but little Of rail
way building done. In 1861, 30 miles; in 1862 90
miles; IN 1868 none; IN 1864 ~ miles, and during
the years 1865, 1856 and 1867, not mile OF track
was laid IN the State After the war was over,
aud the business OF the country had recovered
from the consequent continued depression and
staguation, railroad building and railroad deve
opment began forward march, and have kept
even and steady pace with the other great indus
les OF the State.
To-day the total number Of miles OF railroad IN
the State is g. rs 90, constructed ct cost OF SlSi
Sl3 t0101. The average cost per mile was $40, .
49,, which includes equipments buildings and
depot grounds For the year ending June 30, 1856
the earnings Of the roads were $40 97s 60, Of
which amount 81 $50, $40 50 was from passengers,
Sts 515 COO 50 from freight and 81 465 75 is from
mail and express. The labor to produce these
innings has required the services OF from 5000
of 5000 each, Ihe operating expenses for the
period mentioned were Si2, 81, l1i5L The mum
Der OF tons OF freight carried was b,9Si SIC at an
average cost per ton per mile of l.8l cents The
number of pas. engers carried was s. 303 ss1, at ar
average cost of ~ cents per mile.
numter Of new lines are In process OF con-
structon, aud several are contemplated, which
promise 10 make the coming year one of great ac-
tivy in this enterprise.
The railroad interest is one Of vast importance
% al other industries az the state Legislation
affecting railroads should be enacted with spirit
OF fairness and with due regard TO the transaction
of other business. Nothing should be done that
would cripple so vital factor Ia be states deSel.
opGlrut: ana at the same t.me care should be tax.
tu and firmuess maintained that an interest SO
aree does not OVER ach its Iegit mate bounds,
Interfere with the proper progress OF other
interests uf the tate. Nothing Should be euncted
uto Jaw iecau 81 public c'anior, without ample
reasons therefor, aud ne just or reasonable
eslraint should be withheld.
ELECTRIC LIGHT
la compl aucc with an act OF the last Tegisla.
tute, have considered the adv stability Of using
electric lighl in the Capitol building aud grounds.
Ri were received from the different electrical
lighting companies, and from the local gas COM
p ny. IL was found that the expense OF putting
ia the plant ana fixtures for electrical lighting
would b. about S2j eco; and that the additional
expens for Haainl aiming and operating the same
would be more than the cost Of lighting with gas,
as offered by the local company. 1t was, there
fore, deemed best % accept the proposition OF the
eas company, and "A contract was male with them
for TWO years at SLID per thousand feet, the
State TO consume . 900, 600 feet per year This
ntrnct is IS cents per thousard feet less than
before
WAR RECORDS.
The work OF compiling and publishing the war
records, in accordance with an act OF the last
Legislature, has been pushed as rapidly as the
circumstances and the difficulties Of the work
would permit. The expense OF the undertaking
has been much more than was anticipated, but
the Importance Of the work has required great
thoroughuess ami accuracy and the scattered
and disordered condition OF the war records was
found to be much greater than had been expected
The discoveries have shown the great need and
impol lance of the work and have justified the
outlay that has been made The HrSt volume OF
the publication was received from the press about
the first of December, and Il will be some time
vet before the records OF the AdJutantGeneral $
Office are completed
would call the attention Of the Legislature tC
the fact that many of the States, TO eommemo
rate the heroic deeds of their troops at the battle
Of Gettysburg, are erecting memorial tablets c
mark the positions OF the States soldiers Ia thai
great battle The State OF Wisconsin had six reg
ments engaged in that hard fought battle, anC
any tribute the State may make TO the acts ant
deeds OF these gallant soldiers has been justly
and heroically deserved
MILITIA
The strength OF the Wisconsin National Guard
on the first day OF January, 1887, was sSo4. Th'
last Legislature increased the compensation o
officers and men while In camp OK instruction
and appropriated 900 per annum for overcoat
and blankets. THIS amount was expended unde
direction Of the Quartermaster General, on
company OF infantry and one battery OF artillery
were organilet by authority OF the Legislature
making In al 81 companies in the organization
this time There was expended for the malnle
nance Of the National Guard for 1883, s6I1sO W
and fer 1886 S54 GA IS. This last amount include
the expenses OF the militia while in active service
! IN Milwaukee during the riots.
Inc annual inspections OF tne companies hu,
camps shows a highly credltable advance IN al
! that makes an effective citizen soldiery. tn
practical test Of that efficiency made ia May las
I has demonstrated that the state troops can b'
assembled in any emergency as rapidly as t'aa
sportation can be procured for them, and that
! when assembled they ars loyal, subordinate
and under admirable instruction and discipline
CONCLUSION,
| You will be called upon to amend and perfect
! the laws IN many respects and l assure you OF
my hearty cooperation. The young and limo
cent should have the especial protection
OF just and wholesome laws. TeInpta
tons. SO far as possible should be re
moved; and wherein the laws are defective they
should be changed or amended so az 10 make Ger
tain those punishments that are deserved Th'
wants ofthe people are diversified ard numerous
and have alluded to such subjects only as seen
particularly fitting and proper for me. In al
your efforts to add to the happiness and materia
prosperity and welfare OF the people, you WI.
haze my willing assistance; and trusting IA the
wisdom Of gracious Providence, ! have nj
doubt as to the result
JEREMIAH NJ RUSK.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Madison Wis January, 1887